Briefly Noted: Campus News From Fall 2017

Here’s what you need to know about the biggest news and stories from the fall term at Drexel University.

Remembering Drexel’s Best Stories of 2017

The end of a year is the best time to look back on all that’s happened — and that was certainly the case here at Drexel. If you haven’t already, check out these DrexelNow stories on the top Drexel stories of 2017 and the top “Dragon moments” for Drexel Athletics in 2017.

Donna M. Murasko to Conclude Role as Dean of College of Arts and Sciences

Donna M. Murasko, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will transition from her role at the end of the academic year. One of Drexel’s longest-serving deans, she will conclude a tenure that saw the college expand its undergraduate education, civic engagement and study abroad opportunities.

Calling All Drexel Authors

The sixth annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event will be held on Feb. 26 to showcase Drexel University faculty, staff and students who wrote or edited books published in 2017.

If you are a faculty member, staff or student who wrote or edited a book that was published between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017, please send your name and citation information to Libraries Communication Manager Stacy Stanislaw at svs22@drexel.edu by Feb. 2 to be recognized during the program.

Click here for more information and RSVP today!

RecycleMania Is Back!

Drexel University is once again participating in RecycleMania, a friendly annual competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste-reduction activities to their campus communities. Over an eight-week period starting at the beginning of February, schools will report recycling and trash data, which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate. With each week’s reports and rankings, participating schools watch how their results fluctuate against other schools and use this to rally their campus communities to reduce and recycle more.

Drexel Public Safety Communication Center, Police Department Earn Reaccreditation

The Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) voted to reaccredit both the Drexel University Public Safety Communications Center (DUPSCC) and Drexel University Police Department (DUPD). Both the DUPSCC and DUPD have been CALEA accredited since 2011, with November’s votes serving to reaffirm the Department of Public Safety’s commitment to the highest quality of service and standard of care for the third consecutive time. 

‘Workspace’ for Federal Proposal Submissions

As announced in the August issue of the Office of Research newsletter, legacy PDF applications are no longer being accepted by Grants.gov as of Dec. 31, 2017. Instead, applications to federal agencies (other than NIH and NSF) now must be submitted via the Grants.gov Workspace platform, a shared online environment where multiple members of a grant team may simultaneously access different forms within an application.

To prepare for the transition to Workspace, in-person workshops were offered to Drexel faculty and staff who intend to submit proposals to federal grantors (other than NIH and NSF). You can learn how to register yourself, create Workspaces for proposals and work within the system by attending a workshop Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Mitchell Auditorium in Bossone on the University City Campus. To sign up, log into Career Pathway, use the Events Calendar under the Learning tab to find a session or select “Technology & Job Skills” from the left menu to narrow the search, and then select the Request button to register.

If you would like to schedule a Workspace training session specifically for your department or for general questions about Workspace, contact your Pre-Award Administrator.

Construction Update

Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy: Classes began in the newly renovated Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy at 1200 Chestnut St. on Jan. 8.  The renovation combines state-of-the-art academic spaces — including a ceremonial courtroom — with careful restoration and renewal of this historic 1916 structure.

Fox Historic Costume Collection (URBN Center): Construction is in progress on the expansion of the Fox Historic Costume Collection; completion is expected in spring 2018.

Korman Center Façade: Remedial work on the original Korman Center facades is continuing into spring 2018.

Summer 12 (Radnor Property Group): Construction began in November on 12 new owner-occupied townhomes along the 3200 block of Summer Street. The townhomes are expected to be completed in spring 2018. The developer has sold five of the new townhomes.

Armory (Lancaster Avenue Readiness Center): Demolition work has begun for exterior restoration and improvements to the Armory building. This work includes masonry restoration, new roofing and restoration of all windows along 32nd and 33rd streets, Lancaster Walk and the half-round windows along Cuthbert Street. Funded jointly by the state and by Drexel, this project is managed by Pennsylvania's Department of General Services and is expected to continue over the next several terms.

Firestone Intersections: Construction mobilization for the reconfigured intersections around the Firestone property is scheduled to begin in January. This work will improve pedestrian safety across Market Street and JFK Boulevard and provide a new, signalized crosswalk at Lancaster Walk. During construction, the former Firestone property will be fenced off, the sidewalk will be closed on the north side of Market Street between 32nd Street and JFK Boulevard, and a portion of N. 32nd Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. Please use caution and expect delays when traveling through the area.

Please visit the Current Projects page of the Facilities website for additional project updates.